Hublot King Power Diego Maradona Limited Edition Watch Hands-On

Hublot debuted this watch in Shanghai during a public charity event where Mr. Maradona himself kicked a soccer ball to raise money for kids. If only it was that simple. Why the legendary Argentinian soccer (ahem, I mean "football") player went to China for Hublot and his own watch is probably an amusing story. Suffice it to say that Diego Maradona fans in Argentina and abroad can appreciate his newest limited edition watch.

I believe this is the second limited edition Maradona watch that Hublot has created for Diego. He is also a Hublot brand ambassador. In addition to being famous for his soccer skills, Maradona is known to most always wear a watch on each wrist. This trend more than likely started before he was associated with any watch brand. Now he sports dual Hublots.

The newest limited edition watch is called the Hublot King Power Maradona Limited Edition - and is a really handsome piece. While there is distinct "Maradona branding" on the watch, you don't need to be a big fan to enjoy the piece. There are actually two versions. In addition to this black, white, and blue model in ceramic, there is an 18k King gold cased model as well. The King Power style case is 48mm wide and the matte black ceramic case looks quite nice against the skeletonzied dial. I really like the hints of sky blue and the different color chronograph pushers.

Diego's signature and number 10 are on the dial, while an image of his famous victory pose is placed on the rear of the watch. While the branding might be excessive by some standards, it really helps the watch have a specific theme. Hublot is able to make it fun and interesting rather than cheesy - and that is a fine line to draw when designing watches like this.

Inside the watch is a caliber HUB4245 automatic chronograph movement. It features a skeletonized dial and special central 45 minute chronograph counter - to measure soccer games of course. The rubber strap is special with a white strip down the middle. It looks great on the wrist by the way. Really a nice piece with the colors and fun soccer theme. Now you too can be like the "hand of god". Just make sure to wear one on each wrist. The King Power Diego Maradona watches are limited to 500 pieces in ceramic, and 200 pieces in 18k King gold.

Fueled by an unshakable love for horology and a general curiosity for intricate things, Ariel Adams founded aBlogtoWatch in 2007 as a means of sharing his passion. Since then, ABTW has become the highest trafficked blog on luxury timepieces, and Ariel has become a contributor to other online publications such as Forbes, Departures and Tech Crunch, to name just a few. His conversational writing style and inclusive attitude brings a wider appreciation for watches the world over, and that's just the way he likes it.
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Argentina in the mid-'60s had its first major devaluation of the peso which began the long and systematic elimination of one of the most productive middle classes in the world. That era ushered in the start of a non-ending tidal wave of government control, limit-less corruption and the destruction of individual self-sufficiency.

Once in the top five in the world for standard of living, Argentina now has become a bottom feeder third-world nation. The husband and wife Kirchner governments have created a completely dependent population which is controlled by throwing them the usual nationalist bones such as the Falklands, anti-American and anti-success rhetoric against productive nations, and the ever-present shouts of a long lost pride "Argentina, Argentina!" Unfortunately, the Argentine nation is too far gone into the abyss of corrupt government mismanagement and there is likely no way out of this in the next several decades, if ever.

In hearing Mr. Obama and his vision for America, we can peek into the future that awaits the U.S. if we continue on the path that he has set for this still-great nation. It is too late to cry for Argentina. Let's act now so we won't have to cry for the U.S., it is a complete mystery why Hublot would support and sanction the reality that is Argentina... via an Argentine soccer player. Charity begins at home...

I'm no football fan, and if I were I still wouldn't have much to do with either Argentina, or Maradonna. That said, this is a very attractive piece, in terms of pallette and finish. Keep the colours, scrap all the branding, and replace the existing caseback with a blue-coloured sapphire. Also, I prefer the Big Bang case to the King Power one, but whatever.

It looks really nice with the blue accents against the dark case. Not being a fan of this sport I couldn't care less about Maradona being on it and I know that outside his country he's notorious for cheating so probably not a guy most soccer fans would want on their watch. I imagine only someone on a soccer player's salary could afford it anyway.